Despite the uncertain market situation, Finnlines‘ strategy, including its focus on sustainability, continues to pay off. In addition to investments in the fleet, Finnlines is also planning to expand its route network in the future.
Finnlines’ revenue for the period January to June amounted to € 351.9 million, a slight decline from € 358 million in the previous year. However, Finnlines significantly improved its earnings, rising from € 24.2 million (2024) to the current figure of € 36.3 million.
The shipping company transported 399,000 freight units, 37,000 cars and 584,000 tons of non-categorized freight. A total of 439,000 passengers (private and business) used the company’s ferries.
“The first six months of the year show that the fleet development plan implemented in 2024 is well conceived,” said President and CEO Thomas Doepel on the publication of the financial report. “While the freight market continues to show no signs of recovery, the rationalization measures in our RoRo fleet and our investments in passenger traffic are starting to take effect. Together with debt reduction and falling interest rates, this explains the significant improvement in earnings.”
Over the last two decades, the shipping company has made major investments in fleet modernization to improve energy efficiency. According to the report, Finnlines has ordered or purchased a total of 20 ships with total investment exceeding €2 billion.
Three newbuilds for Finnlines’ German route
Finnlines will continue to invest in the future. In April, the shipping company announced a new program that includes three RoPax ships with methanol propulsion. The newbuilds classified under the “Hansa Superstar” are scheduled for deployment on the route between Finland and Germany from 2028/29.
The ships will be part of a larger series of newbuilds being built by Finnlines’ parent company Grimaldi Group. “These investments will play a crucial role in achieving our goal of net zero emissions,” Finnlines announced.
In May 2025, Finnlines launched its new sea transport service “Green Lane”, which integrates customers into the company’s decarbonization goals.
For example, fully electric sea transportation is already offered between Finland and Sweden, while biofuels are used on several other routes. Freight customers can thus reduce their CO2 footprint by 90%, according to the company.
In addition to fleet upgrades, Finnlines continues to expand its route network. In April 2025, the Group celebrated the one-year anniversary of the route from Malmö to Świnoujście.
The North Sea network is also to be expanded, set to include the port of Gdynia in the future, which will provide customers with a “cost-effective and practical intermodal alternative to road freight transport between Poland and Belgium, France, the UK and Spain”.
Poland will also be directly linked to the Grimaldi Group’s global network, with connections to the Far East, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, West Africa, South America and the East Coast of the United States.
